Mobility

Voters want new mobility options to cut congestion, pollution: Report

The national survey was commissioned by last-mile electric vehicle sharing company, Bird.

New public opinion polling data indicates that 8 in 10 Americans believe car traffic and vehicle pollution are serious problems in their city, and more than 70% of survey respondents want new transportation options specifically for trips that are two miles or less.

The national survey of voters and additional polling in Chicago and New York, commissioned by last-mile electric vehicle sharing company, Bird, revealed a consistent message: the public wants new transportation options to reduce traffic and environmental harm. Seventy-three percent acknowledge their own car use for trips under two miles is causing climate damage.

Nationally, 85% believe there should be more transportation options to reduce traffic and congestion, and 76% said they want more options specifically for trips that are shorter than two miles.

In New York, support for new transportation options to reduce traffic congestion was nearly universal at 95%, while in Chicago it was 88%. Eighty-seven percent of New Yorkers said they want city officials to commit to options that reduce the number of cars; 81% said the same in Chicago.

80% support increasing the number of bike and scooter lanes in their city;

78% want to create more space on roads for non-car transit options; and

71% believe city officials should ensure there are enough bikes and scooters that are convenient to access.

In a sign of how frustrated voters are, more than half of those polled said they would make interesting sacrifices to reduce the amount of time they spend sitting in traffic or waiting for public transportation. Some 26% said they would give up social media for a year; an additional 14% said they would shave their head.

"Consumers want choice with everything they do and experience, including transportation," said Bird CEO Travis VanderZanden. "These surveys make clear that voters want their leaders to reduce traffic and give them a convenient, affordable, and environmentally friendly option for short trips so they don't have to rely on cars."